Truck Driving Schools
Topic 10499 | Page 1
Is there any that teach in automatic transmission trucks?
To be honest, and this is my opinion, schools all use older equipment for training, and widespread use of automatics has only come out this year.
If you are concerned that you don't know how to shift, many instructors prefer that lack of experience because you don't have any "bad" habits!
Otis, if by chance you find a school that does use automatics for teaching, please understand that you will be taking your CDL road skills test in a truck equipped with an automatic transmission. If you pass the road skills driving an automatic, you will have a restriction placed on your license prohibiting you from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a manual transmission (restriction "E"). At first this may not seem like a big deal. However you could be limiting yourself for future driving opportunities. If you learn how to operate a tractor trailer with a manual transmission, and pass your CDL test driving a manual transmission equipped truck, you can always work for a company with automatic trucks in their fleet.
With that said, the reputable schools (private or company sponsored) are highly experienced teaching students how to properly shift a large truck. They know that the majority of their students have never set foot in a tractor trailer and have never used a stick shift and a clutch. And what Errol said is absolutely true. They prefer that you have zero experience with a manual transmission (car or light truck), actually makes their job a bit easier.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
I thank you. I guess I will bite the bullet and go for it then hope I can find a jod with automatic transmission so I would no have to shift
I thank you. I guess I will bite the bullet and go for it then hope I can find a job with automatic transmission so I would no have to shift
Once the shifting gets to where you don't think of it, you're OK. I know, you don't have to think about automatic shifting in the first place!!
[Spent a long-ago summer at Goodfellow AFB!]
I called the Texas DPS of license they said that for right now you can take it in automatic transmission and there is no restriction starting in January if do there will be a restriction so going to take the air break test then the driving part in one then go to driving school to learn how to drive a standard.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Is there any that teach in automatic transmission trucks?